Specialized reconstructive care for complex dental and facial conditions, delivered by one of approximately 150 board-certified maxillofacial prosthodontists in the United States. Dr. Nicholas Goetz brings UCLA fellowship training and real-world reconstructive experience to every case.
Most dental practices in Delray Beach — and most of the country — have never seen a board-certified maxillofacial prosthodontist. There are approximately 150 of these specialists practicing in the entire United States. Dr. Nicholas Goetz is one of them, and his office is right here in Delray Beach.
Maxillofacial prosthodontics extends well beyond restorative dentistry. It encompasses the rehabilitation of patients who have lost teeth, bone, and soft tissue due to cancer, trauma, congenital conditions, or surgical intervention — restoring not just the ability to eat and speak, but the appearance and structure of the entire face. This is precision, reconstructive care at its most demanding level, and it sits within Dr. Goetz’s full range of prosthodontic treatments.
A maxillofacial prosthodontist is a prosthodontist who has completed an additional fellowship-level specialization in the rehabilitation of patients with defects or conditions affecting the head and neck region — including the oral cavity, jaw, and face. The training goes beyond restoring teeth. It covers facial prosthetics, post-surgical reconstruction, and the treatment of patients whose conditions have resulted from cancer surgery, radiation therapy, trauma, burns, or birth defects.
The path to this credential is rigorous: four years of college, four years of dental school, three years of prosthodontic residency, and an additional fellowship in maxillofacial prosthodontics. This is why only approximately 150 practitioners in the country hold this certification at any given time. Unlike a general dentist or even a standard prosthodontist, a maxillofacial prosthodontist is trained to work within interdisciplinary oncology and reconstructive surgery teams, treating patients whose needs go far beyond routine restoration.
| Training Level | General Dentist | Prosthodontist | Maxillofacial Prosthodontist |
|---|---|---|---|
| Years of post-college training | 4 | 7 | 8+ |
| Restorative dentistry | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Implant prosthodontics | Limited | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head & neck cancer rehab | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Facial prosthetics | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Trauma & surgical reconstruction | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
From routine implant-supported restorations to complex reconstructive cases, all delivered with fellowship-level precision.
Patients who have undergone surgery for oral, head, or neck cancers often face significant functional and esthetic deficits. Maxillofacial prosthodontics addresses these through custom prostheses and implant-supported restorations designed to restore speech, chewing, and facial appearance after resection. Dr. Goetz’s background includes civilian work with the U.S. Army and VA Medical Hospital, where complex reconstructive cases are routine.
When the hard or soft palate is removed or damaged — from cancer surgery, trauma, or congenital defect — an obturator prosthesis restores the barrier between the oral and nasal cavities. These custom appliances, often implant-retained, allow patients to speak and swallow normally again. Dr. Goetz designs and fabricates these in close coordination with oncology and surgical teams.
Prosthetic replacement of facial structures — including orbital (eye socket), auricular (ear), and nasal prostheses — requires both technical mastery and artistic precision. These devices are fabricated from biocompatible silicone and matched to skin tone and texture with exceptional accuracy, restoring appearance and quality of life for patients who have experienced significant facial loss due to surgery, trauma, or cancer.
Beyond specialized maxillofacial cases, Dr. Goetz provides the full range of full mouth reconstruction, dental implants, and All-on-X treatments for patients in Delray Beach whose needs are significant but not oncologic in nature. The same fellowship-level training that qualifies him for the most complex reconstructive cases is applied to every patient he sees.
Dr. Nicholas Goetz completed his undergraduate degree, dental doctorate, master’s degree, and prosthodontic residency all at the University of Florida — one of the country’s premier training programs. He then pursued a Maxillofacial Prosthodontics Fellowship at UCLA, one of only a handful of institutions in the nation that trains specialists at this level. Before returning to private practice in Delray Beach, he served as a civilian maxillofacial prosthodontist with the U.S. Army and VA Medical Hospital — treating veterans and active-duty personnel with some of the most complex reconstructive needs imaginable.
That military experience gave Dr. Goetz exposure to cases that most prosthodontists in private practice will never encounter. Traumatic facial injuries, post-surgical cancer rehabilitation, severe bite collapse from years of neglect — these are the cases where his training becomes most visible. When patients arrive at our Delray Beach office with complex histories and complicated needs, they are in the right place.
For patients whose needs are more routine — dental implants, crowns, dentures, cosmetic work — Dr. Goetz brings the same precision and artistry that his most demanding reconstructive cases require. The result is a level of care that most patients in Palm Beach County have never had access to outside of a major academic medical center.
Dr. Goetz serves patients throughout Delray Beach, Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, and the greater Palm Beach County area. Physician referrals for oncologic and post-surgical cases are welcome.
Patients who have undergone surgery, radiation, or other treatment for oral, throat, or neck cancers. Physician and oncologist referrals are welcome — Dr. Goetz works closely with oncology teams to coordinate timing of prosthetic rehabilitation.
Individuals who have lost teeth, bone, or facial structure due to accidents, sports injuries, or facial trauma. Maxillofacial prosthodontic rehabilitation can often restore function and appearance even in cases other practitioners consider too complex to treat.
Patients born with cleft palate, missing teeth, or other oral and facial developmental conditions that require long-term prosthetic management. These cases are complex and benefit significantly from a specialist with maxillofacial training rather than a general restorative approach.
Patients who have been told their case is “too complicated,” who have experienced multiple failed restorations elsewhere, or who simply want the most qualified specialist available in Palm Beach County for dental implants, full arch reconstruction, or any advanced restorative treatment. If you are uncertain whether you need a maxillofacial prosthodontist, a consultation with Dr. Goetz will clarify exactly what level of care your case requires.
We believe financial concerns shouldn’t keep you from treatment that can change your daily life. Ocean Breeze Prosthodontics offers flexible financing options so the path to a complete smile feels manageable from the very first visit.
While we are not in-network with insurance companies, we’ll still help you get the most out of your plan. We file claims on your behalf and assist you in securing any reimbursement your PPO plan allows.
Our gallery includes some of the most complex restorative cases seen in private practice in South Florida — full mouth reconstructions, implant-supported restorations, and comprehensive smile transformations that reflect the breadth of Dr. Goetz’s training. View our smile gallery to see the results.
A prosthodontist completes 3 years of specialty residency after dental school, focusing on restorative and replacement dentistry. A maxillofacial prosthodontist completes an additional fellowship — typically another 1–2 years — specializing in the rehabilitation of patients with conditions affecting the head, neck, and face. The scope of maxillofacial prosthodontics includes facial prosthetics, obturators, and post-surgical cancer care that fall outside a standard prosthodontist’s training.
Yes. A maxillofacial prosthodontist is fully trained in all aspects of standard prosthodontics — crowns, bridges, dentures, implants, and cosmetic restoration. The fellowship adds capability for complex reconstructive cases, but routine restorations benefit from the same precision applied to the most demanding work. Many patients come to Dr. Goetz for a crown or implant and simply appreciate knowing their care is in the most qualified hands available in South Florida.
Most patients are referred by an oncologist, oral surgeon, or ENT physician following cancer surgery or trauma. However, self-referrals are also welcome. If you or a family member has been treated for oral or head/neck cancer and needs prosthetic rehabilitation, or if you simply want the highest-level prosthodontic expertise available for any restorative case, you can call our office directly to schedule a consultation.
Prosthetic rehabilitation timing depends on the type of treatment received and how healing has progressed. For surgical cases, Dr. Goetz works in coordination with your oncology or surgical team to determine the optimal window. For patients who have completed treatment and are ready to begin rehabilitation, initial consultations are available without a referral — call our office to schedule.
Coverage depends heavily on the nature of the treatment and your specific insurance plan. Reconstructive procedures related to cancer surgery or trauma may have coverage pathways through both dental and medical insurance. We are not in-network, but we file claims on your behalf and help navigate what your PPO may cover. We also offer flexible financing options and will review all options with you at your consultation.
Whether you’ve been referred by an oncologist, a surgeon, or simply want the most qualified specialist in Delray Beach for any restorative need, Dr. Goetz is ready to help. Schedule a consultation at our office today.
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